Ten most significant world events in 2017 with a glimpse into the future. A subjective overviewny

Arkadiusz Nyzio

ZBN “Commentary” No. 1 (25) / 2018

December 31, 2017

This article presents a list of ten world events, or rather weaves of events, which in 2017 influenced the international relations to the greatest extent. The author argues that last year’s major events did not affect international security positively. Whereas it certainly was not the “worst year in history”, as 2016 was often labelled, the history will judge it harshly. Aforementioned significant events include: 1. The end of the refugee relocation scheme and the new initiatives of the European Union; 2. The possible beginning of the end of net neutrality; 3. Catalan independence referendum and the Spanish political crisis; 4. Turkish constitutional referendum and the crossroads of Ankara’s external activities; 5. Brussels NATO Summit and maintenance of Alliance’s course; 6. United Kingdom’s invocation of article 50 of the Treaty on European Union; 7. Results of the French presidential election and the German federal election; 8. Donald Trump sworn in as 45th president of the United States and Trump’s “new” foreign policy; 9. The fall of Raqqa and Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum as presages of the next phase of Middle Eastern conflicts; 10. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China – Xi Jinping heralds “new era” of Chinese power.